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Saturday, December 29, 2012

Elegant, Easy, Affordable AND Delicious? Yes!

Have you ever wanted to make a nice treat for your co-workers, friends, family or the neighbors, but not wanted to become a pastry chef, or spend a fortune? This recipe is for you! The ingredient list is short, and contains a lot of pantry staples, the results are elegant and delicious, it only messes up three, count 'em three pots & pans.....and, did I mention it's delicious?

I scoured the inter-galactic web for an orange chocolate dipped biscotti....click here for the recipe I used. First, get your (gloriously inexpensive) ingredients together.

From left to right; cooking oil, chocolate chips, salt, baking powder, an orange, baking soda, eggs, flour, sugar and vanilla. See? Did I mention these are easy to make as well? You will look like a gourmet baker after creating these. First, mix the sugar, eggs and orange rind with the vanilla...

It will look like this once mixed...

Then, mix in the flour, salt, baking powder and soda..

Mix until well incorporated, and holding together...cookie dough, yay!

Knead for a short (about 3 minutes) time until the dough is smooth...

Then, divide the dough in half, and make into rectangles (approx. 10in by 3in) on your baking sheet..

See how easy that was? Now, bake them for the first bake, 25 to 30 minutes at 350 degrees, and while they are baking, melt 1/2 a bag of chocolate chips on low heat, with a tablespoon of vegetable oil, stirring occasionally with a fork until melt-a-licious....

Keep this on the lowest possible heat, and stir from time to time as you finish the biscotti. After the first bake, pull the biscotti from the oven, and let them cool for 15 minutes.

After cooling, slice them into the 1/2-inch familiar biscotti shape....

Then, place back on to the baking sheet. Bake for another 15 minutes, turning them over once during the baking time. Here are mine going in for the second bake...

When they have finished baking, let them cool completely, then, while tipping the saucepan, dip each cookies' end into the melted chocolate..

Lay them out on wax paper for the chocolate to dry up, and sprinkle the ends with some extra grated orange rind...

The results?

And....are we ready for our close-up?

Yes, they are delicious, easy, affordable and elegant. For just a few ingredients, a little time, and without having to be a master baker, you can have these lovely biscotti. Excuse me now, the coffee is hot, and the biscotti are begging me to dunk them in it.

Eat well, my friends, and hug your children a little tighter this year, tell them you love them, and for goodness sake, let's take care of one another, ok?

Who is Pixie?

Allison is a former actress, singer and dancer. Chef at Buffallo Wild Wings, Master Baker at Brueggers' Bagels, Head Baker at Chesapeake Pub, and personal chef. Please inquire about catering and personal chef services if you live in the greater Nashville area